Federal Law Empowers Parents

FEDERAL LAW EMPOWERS PARENTS

[Excerpt] “The purpose of (Federal law) Title IV No-Child-Left-Behind is to promote parental choice (as) the Administration seeks to increase parental options and influence. Parents, armed with data, are the best forces of accountability in education. And parents, armed with options and choice, can assure that their children get the best, most effective education possible.”

Parental Power and Responsibiiity

The Federal government gives full responsibility for the education of children to the parents, and in some instances, parents are empowered beyond the powers of the school. Federal law arms parents, with options and choices, but fails to consider that most parents do not know enough about learning disabilities and special education to be effective in choosing options for a child with learning disabilities.

Parents are the only advocates children have, and if the parents do not have the needed information, the child is at the mercy of the school, and schools generally advocate for their own needs when it comes to placing a child in special education.

A typical scenario is that if the law states that there has to be 12 children to comprise a class eligible for funding, and only 11 children have been identified, the school is likely to find one additional child to be placed in that class to save that teachers job so that she can remain at that school with her friends. It is easy to understand that the school has a need for one more child to meet their need, and if the parent is not informed, no one is going to ask the question, "does the child need special education even if he is eligible?".

The opposite of this scenario is also true. Very often a child may be underachieving, but because he is a well behaved child teacher does not experience him as a problem and his needs go unnoticed. When you approach the teacher and say that my child is not doing well, the comment may be about his behavior rather than his achievement. "But Johnnie is so well behaved, or he doesn't look like he has a learning problem."

In this instance, believe it or not, the parent needs to be equally prepared to advocate for their child's needs. Federal law states that every child is entitled to a “free, appropriate, public education,”but you will need to know the law and how to use it to get what you feel is appropriate for your child. If you don't agree, don't sign the paper. The school is prohibited from changing you child's program without your permission.

All the information needed to reap the intangible rewards of empowerment as intended by Federal Law Title IV, No-Child-Left-Behind is immediately available in our parent guide. It contains all the information needed to take control at school meetings and advocate effectively to get the appropriate education that you feel your child needs. And you will be confident that your child’s education is “appropriate” because you will have negotiated the terms yourself.